Harajuku has always been known as the hub of Japan’s pop culture, what with it being the birthplace of Lolita dressing, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and more.

Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, however, is the most populated street and is home to a number of independent boutiques, sweets and crepes stores. The shopping street gets extremely packed with teens, students, tourists and more—especially when the sun sets.

It is bustling and full of life and is definitely a shopping experience in Tokyo you cannot miss. If you do not know where to start, here are the 9 Things You Need To Eat & Do When In Takeshita Dori, Harajuku.

Photo Credit: Travelience

#1 TAKE TONS OF PURIKURA

The 90’s girls would probably remember squeezing into what was known as a Neoprint Booth in your neighbourhood Timezone Arcade during schooling days. But getting one done right in the heart of Harajuku is a different experience all on its own.

Purikura is essentially a photo booth that allows you to customise and decorate your pictures together with friends before getting it printed on the spot. There are even entire stores dedicated to housing an astounding number of these purikura machines.

Each machine also carries its own theme, so you can get your pictures taken in a more “lolita-style” booth, a Korean beauty-style booth, or even a Barbie Design booth.

#2 TUCK INTO A CUSTARD CREAM CHOU

There are many popular sweet stalls all around Takeshita Street, but Croquant Chou Zakuzaku definitely stands out for its amazing range of snacks. You can see snaking lines and customers gathering outside the stall, biting into their cream-filled chous.

Croquant Chou Zakuzaku is known for their churro-shaped cream chous, which oozes decadent custard cream. They also sell milky soft serves in cups and cones.

Croquant Chou Zakuzaku
1 Chome-1-7-1 CUTECUBE
151-0001, Japan
Tel: +81 03-6804-6340
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Harajuku

#3 SNACK ON GIGANTIC RAINBOW CANDY FLOSS

Totti Candy Factory is cotton candy heaven! Known for its magnificent rainbow treats, the cotton candy is probably two times the size of your head and comes in dazzling pastel hues.

The store experiences queues every single day and you can watch as the staff members spin the floss and bring your cotton candy dreams to life.

Totti Candy Factory is also known for their other handmade sweets such as marshmallows, hard candy, cake pops and more.

Totti Candy Factory
2F, 1-16-5, Jingumae
150-0001, Japan
Tel: +81 03-3403-7007
Feb to Oct: 10am – 8pm
Nov to Jan: 10.30am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Harajuku

#4 VISIT THE PSYCHEDLIC KAWAII MONSTER CAFE

Kawaii Monster Cafe is basically all of Harajuku’s culture, sights and sounds rolled up and presented as a cafe. Prepare to dive into a world of colourful food, themed seating areas within the cafe, and roaming cosplayers!

Kawaii Monster Café
YM square building 4F
4-31-10, Jingumae, Shibuya,Tokyo
Tel: +81 03-5413-6142
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 4.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Harajuku

#5 GO ON A ¥100 SHOPPING SPREE

A multi-storey Daiso sits along Takeshita Dori and offers a stunning selection of literally anything under the sun—be it kitchenware, clothing, stationery, and even candy and snacks.

If shopping for fashionable clothing along the streets is not your thing, then go for a ¥100 shopping spree at Daiso!

Daiso Harajuku
1 Chome-19-24, Jingumae
150-0001, Japan
Tel: +81 3-5775-9641
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Harajuku

Photo Credit: Earth To Iris

#6 HUNT FOR VINTAGE JEWELS AT G2?

G2? is one of style icon Krary Pamyu Pamyu’s go-to store for vintage clothing hence iti s no wonder that it is usually packed with fashionistas looking for the best second-hand deals.

Styles from the 50s to the 80s can be found at G2?, ranging from kitschy to classic.

G2?
3 Chome-22-7, Jingumae
150-0001, Japan
Tel: +81 3-5786-4188
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 8pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
Nearest Station: Harajuku

#7 JIGGLY, FLUFFY PANCAKES

Gram became famous for serving jiggly, fluffy pancakes. These Japanese-style soufflé pancakes are stacked high and dribbled in syrup. Despite looking like a mountain of sugar, these pancakes are actually pretty light in taste.

Be warned that the queues will be long and the pancakes are only available during selected timings of the day.

Gram Pancakes
1-9-30 Jingumae
150-0001, Japan
Tel: +81 3-6804-3399
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Harajuku

#8 TRY SOME FRESHLY-FRIED CHIPS

Pop by the Calbee PLUS store and get some freshly-fried chips. Have it drizzled in chocolate sauce or cheese.

There is also a wide range of Calbee merchandise that you can bring home as souvenirs.

Calbee PLUS

1 Chome-16-8 Jingumae
150-0001, Japan
Daily: 9.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Harajuku

#9 THE QUINTESSENTIAL HARAJUKU CREPES

When you do a simple image search of Harajuku, you will come face to face with an onslaught of pretty crepe snapshots. Takeshita Dori is where a number of Japanese-style crepe stores call home, each offering their own array of sweet cream-filled crepes topped with bananas, strawberries, wafers, and so much more.

Just take a walk down Takeshita Street and pick the crepe store that appeals to you the most.

Tokyo is an exciting multi-faceted megalopolis and a must-visit for all wanderlusters. It is not only Japan’s capital but also the world’s gourmet capital, with the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in its region. Cost of living in Tokyo is extremely high so do expect to pay significantly more (than when vacationing in other Asian cities).

While Tokyo is not a budget-friendly city, it does not mean that free activities are out of reach. Read our guide to 8 free things to do in Tokyo and find out how you can save yen!

#1 GINZA

Ginza is well known for their luxury brands and gourmet restaurants but that does not mean you should skip a visit to this district due to budget constrains. Besides being a high end shopping district, Ginza is also Japan’s focal point of contemporary design. Every building in Ginza is absurdly aesthetically pleasing to the eye and design junkies will find themselves hopelessly drooling over the impressive works of world famous architects.

Nearest station: Ginza

#2 MEIJI SHRINE

Meiji Shrine is a stone throw away from the bustling Harajuku – we could hardly believe such a tranquil setting could exist right beside a busy railway station! Traditional Shinto ceremonies such as wedding solemnization actually still take place in this serene shrine (also known as Meiji Jingu).

Before entering the sacred site’s main hall, one is expected to wash his/her hands and mouth as a form of purification at the troughs. Other interesting cultural activities include writing your wishes on a wooden plate (500 yen) and hung on the divine tree. Admission fees will be collected for the Treasure House and Inner Garden but entrance to the Meiji Shrine is free of charge.

1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan

Nearest station: Harajuku

#3 OMOTESANDO

Omotesando is an epicentre of luxurious lifestyle with stunning architecture. Its tree-lined avenue has an uncanny resemblance to Paris’ Champs-Élysées and head-turner buildings include Audi Forum Tokyo, Tokyu Plaza, Tod’s Building, Hugo Boss and Sunny Hill.

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of these infrastructures’ extraordinary architectural designs or venture away from the main roads and explore Omotesando’s beautiful residential neighbourhood. The hanging criss-cross electrical wires in the local backstreets make a photographic opportunity and you will be surprised by their flourishing cafe culture.

Nearest station: Omotesando

#4 SHIBUYA CROSSING

Regardless of rain or shine, the famous Shibuya is always jam packed with people. When the traffic light turns red, watch pedestrians cross the junction from all directions in an organized chaos or become a part of the moving crowd!

Photography and videography enthusiasts can camp at the nearby Starbucks at Shibuya Tsutaya’s second floor with other like-minded hobbyists to capture this moment.

Nearest station: Shibuya

#5 TAKESHITA DORI

Takeshita Dori aka Takeshita Street is a pedestrianised street in Harajuku. Opened from 11am – 10pm, the 400 meters long street lined up with cute kiosks and boutique fashion stores is extremely popular amongst Japanese teens. Visit on a Sunday and witness Harajuku’s vibrant cos-play scene, where teenagers will dress up as their favourite anime character in elaborate outfits.

Nearest station: Harajuku

#6 TOKYO NATIONAL ART CENTER

Tokyo is indeed every architect’s wet dream. Tokyo National Art Center is yet another beautifully designed building that is worth checking out. While charges do apply for admission to the art museum’s exhibits, access to the center’s main atrium is actually free. Marvel at the splendid undulating glass façade and its three spectacular conical volumes inside.

Kokuritsu Shin-Bijutsukan
The National Art Center, Tokyo
7-22-2 Roppongi Minato-ku Tokyo 106-8558 Japan

Nearest station: Roppongi

#7 TOKYO OBSERVATORY DECKS

For an impressive view of Tokyo’s city skyline, visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s (TOCHO) 45th level and Bunkyo Civic Center’s 25th floor. Access to these two buildings’ observatory decks is completely free of charge. Both viewpoints allow you to see the iconic Tokyo Tokyo Sky Tree and even Mount Fuji!

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan
Nearest station: Tocho-mae

Bunkyo Civic Center
1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-8555, Japan
Nearest station: Korakuen

#8 TSUKIJI TUNA AUCTION

While watching the renowned tuna auction at Tsukiji Fish Market is for free, you would have to be prepared to sacrifice your precious sleep. There are two auctions in the morning and only 120 visitors are allowed to watch this interesting activity. Guests are divided into two batches and it is recommended to arrive as early as 3am to secure a place.

Our arrival at 3.30am landed us in the second batch and any visitor after the 120th will be turned away – this means you should stay within walking distance. The first auction starts at 5.25am and the second one commences at 5.50am. Each auction lasts for about 20 minutes.

There are many guidelines to follow such as no heels, no flip flops and no flash photography. Tsukiji Fish Market is set to relocate in 2016 so do pay a visit before they move! Do note that the auction is not open on a daily basis and it is best to plan in advance.

5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan

Nearest station: Tsukiji Shijo

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc.